Bolt loses his final 100m race, finishes third at the World Championships

By: Sherab Pulger

Sun,06 Aug 2017

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Usain Bolt was denied a fairytale ending to his career as Justin Gatlin clinched gold in the 100m at the World Championships. The American who was banned twice for drugs cheat clocked 9.92 seconds to beat Christian Coleman as Bolt finished third in his final individual race.

Usain Bolt was denied a fairytale ending to his career as Justin Gatlin clinched gold in the 100m at the World Championships. The American who was banned twice for drugs cheat clocked 9.92 seconds to beat Christian Coleman as Bolt finished third in his final individual race.

The stadium was packed to savour every last moment of Bolt’s last 100m race, hoping for one signature moment but were stunned as Gatlin dipped for the line a fraction of a second ahead. The Jamaican finished third, beaten to the silver medal by another American Christian Coleman.

Bolt was again slow out of the blocks in the final and came back strong, but he ended up short. When he ran out of steam, Gatlin gathered more.

Justin Gatlin wins world 100m gold by beating Usain Bolt in the Jamaican's last solo race of his career pic.twitter.com/ekE6bUmMC6

The result flashed on the screen, the crowd fell silent, hush was replaced by booing, and it felt like everyone pretended Bolt had won anyway. It was a great anti-climax, the world champion was jeered while the athlete that finished third was acclaimed as the hero.

At the age of 35, Gatlin is the oldest 100m champion but his drug offences in 2001 and 2006 overshadowed his victory, however, he did not care, Gatlin was not bothered by the boos of the London crowd, claiming that people who love him are cheering and supporting him.

“I’ve had many victories and many defeats down the years. It’s an amazing occasion. We’re rivals on the track but in the warm-down area we joke and have a good time. The first thing he [Bolt] did was congratulate me and say that I didn't deserve the boos. He’s an inspiration."